Pipe deployment reel adapter shaft systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Techniques for implementing a pipe deployment system that includes a pipe reel, in which the pipe reel includes reel ends and a reel drum and the pipe reel enables a pipe segment to be wrapped on the reel drum. The pipe deployment system includes a brake assembly with a brake wheel having a shaft socket keyed with flat inner surfaces, and a shaft adapter assembly, which includes an adapter head to be coupled between the pipe reel and the brake assembly. The adapter head includes an adapter shaft keyed with flat outer surfaces, in which the adapter shaft matingly interlocks with the shaft socket and is to be partially inserted through a reel end of the pipe reel, and a rotation control pin coupled to the adapter shaft, in which the rotation control pin is to be inserted between adjacent reel spokes in the reel end of the pipe reel.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present disclosure is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 17/000,500, entitled “PIPE DEPLOYMENT REEL ADAPTER SHAFT SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS” and filed on Aug. 24, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/791,691, entitled “PIPE DEPLOYMENT REELADAPTER SHAFT SYSTEMS AND METHODS” and filed on Feb. 14, 2020, which areeach incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to pipeline systems and, moreparticularly, to a pipe deployment system that may be implemented and/oroperated to facilitate deploying one or more pipe segments in a pipelinesystem.

Pipeline systems are often implemented and/or operated to facilitatetransporting (e.g., conveying) fluid, such as liquid and/or gas, from afluid source to a fluid destination. For example, a pipeline system maybe used to transport one or more hydrocarbons, such as crude oil,petroleum, natural gas, or any combination thereof. Additionally oralternatively, a pipeline system may be used to transport one or moreother types of fluid, such as produced water, fresh water, fracturingfluid, flowback fluid, carbon dioxide, or any combination thereof.

To facilitate transporting fluid, a pipeline system may include one ormore pipe segments in addition to pipe fittings (e.g., connectors), suchas a midline pipe fitting and/or a pipe end fitting. Generally, a pipesegment may include tubing, which defines (e.g., encloses) a bore thatprovides a primary fluid conveyance (e.g., flow) path through the pipesegment. More specifically, the tubing of a pipe segment may beimplemented to facilitate isolating (e.g., insulating) fluid beingconveyed within its bore from environmental conditions external to thepipe segment, for example, to reduce the likelihood of the conveyed(e.g., bore) fluid being lost to the external environmental conditionsand/or the external environmental conditions contaminating the conveyedfluid.

Additionally, in some instances, a pipe deployment system, whichincludes a pipe deployment trailer and/or a pipe deployment frame, maybe implemented and/or operated to facilitate deploying one or more pipesegments in a pipeline system. In particular, in some such instances, apipe segment may be wrapped (e.g., spooled and/or coiled) on a pipedrum, which includes an outwardly extending drum shaft (e.g., axle) thatis implemented to matingly interlock (e.g., interface and/or engage)with a shaft socket in a braking assembly in the pipe deployment system.In other instances, a pipe segment may be wrapped on a pipe reel thatincludes a reel drum coupled between a pair of reel ends. However, insome instances, a pipe reel on which a pipe segment is wrapped may notinclude a reel shaft (e.g., axle) that extends beyond its reel ends,thereby limiting the ability of a pipe deployment system to deploy thepipe segment directly from the pipe reel and, thus, potentially limitingoperational flexibility and/or operational efficiency of the pipedeployment system.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

In one embodiment, a pipe deployment system includes a pipe reel, inwhich the pipe reel includes a first reel end, a second reel end, and areel drum coupled between the first reel end and a second reel end andthe pipe reel enables a pipe segment including tubing that defines apipe bore and a fluid conduit implemented in an annulus of the tubing tobe wrapped on the reel drum. Additionally, the pipe deployment systemincludes a brake assembly, which includes a brake wheel having a shaftsocket keyed with one or more flat inner surfaces, and a shaft adapterassembly, which includes an adapter head to be coupled between the pipereel and the brake assembly to enable the pipe deployment system tocontrol deployment speed of the pipe segment from the pipe reel usingthe brake assembly. The adapter head includes an adapter shaft keyedwith one or more flat outer surfaces, in which the adapter shaftmatingly interlock with the shaft socket of the brake assembly and is tobe partially inserted through the first reel end of the pipe reel, and arotation control pin coupled to the adapter shaft via a rotation controlplate, in which the rotation control pin is to be inserted betweenadjacent reel spokes in the first reel end of the pipe reel.

In another embodiment, a method of implementing a pipe deployment systemincludes coupling a first adapter head of a shaft adapter assembly to afirst side of a pipe reel on which a pipe segment is wrapped, in whichthe pipe reel includes a first reel end, a second reel end, and a reeldrum coupled between the first reel end and the second reel end andcoupling the first adapter head to the first side of the pipe reelincludes partially inserting a first adapter shaft of the first adapterhead through the first reel end of the pipe reel and inserting arotation control pin of the first adapter head between adjacent reelspokes in the first reel end of the pipe reel to facilitate tyingrotation of the shaft adapter assembly to rotation of the pipe reel,coupling a second adapter head of the shaft adapter assembly to a secondside of the pipe reel opposite the first side of the pipe reel at leastin part by partially inserting a second adapter shaft of the secondadapter head through the second reel end of the pipe reel, and matinglyinterfacing the first adapter shaft of the first adapter head with akeyed shaft socket in a brake assembly of the pipe deployment system tofacilitate controlling deployment speed of the pipe segment from pipedeployment system using the brake assembly at least in part by tying therotation of the shaft adapter assembly to rotation of the brakeassembly.

In another embodiment, a shaft adapter assembly to be deployed at a pipereel includes an adapter shaft to be partially inserted through a shaftopening in a first reel end of the pipe reel, in which the pipe reelincludes a pipe drum coupled between the first reel end and a secondreel end, a rotation control plate coupled to the adapter shaft, arotation control pin that extends out from the rotation control plate,in which the rotation control pin is to be inserted between reel spokesin the first reel end of the pipe reel to facilitate tying deploymentspeed of a pipe segment wrapped on the pipe reel to rotation of theshaft adapter assembly, and one or more flat outer surfaces keyed on theadapter shaft, in which the one or more flat outer surfaces align withcorresponding flat inner surfaces implemented in a shaft socket of abrake assembly in a pipe deployment system to facilitate typing therotation of the shaft adapter assembly to rotation of the brakeassembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a pipeline system includingpipe segments and pipe fittings (e.g., connectors), in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an example of a pipe segment of FIG. 1 thatincludes a bore defined by its tubing as well as fluid conduitsimplemented within an annulus of its tubing, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of the pipe segment of FIG. 2with a helically shaped fluid conduit implemented within the annulus ofits tubing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is block diagram of an example of a pipe deployment system thatincludes a pipe deployment trailer, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of an example of the pipe deploymenttrailer of FIG. 4 that includes a brake assembly, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of an example of the brake assembly ofFIG. 5 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another example of a pipe deployment systemthat includes a pipe deployment frame with a brake assembly, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 in a side perspective view of an example of a pipe segmentwrapped (e.g., coiled and/or spooled) on a pipe drum, in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of an example of a pipe segmentwrapped on a pipe reel, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 is a back perspective view of the pipe reel of FIG. 9 coupled tothe pipe deployment trailer of FIG. 5 via a shaft adapter assembly, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example of the shaft adapterassembly of FIG. 10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of an example process for implementing theshaft adapter assembly of FIG. 10 , in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of an example process for deploying the shaftadapter assembly of FIG. 10 at a pipe reel, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of an example process for loading a pipe reelonto the pipe deployment trailer of FIG. 10 , in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below with reference to the figures. As used herein, the term“coupled” or “coupled to” may indicate establishing either a direct orindirect connection and, thus, is not limited to either unless expresslyreferenced as such. The term “set” may refer to one or more items.Wherever possible, like or identical reference numerals are used in thefigures to identify common or the same features. The figures are notnecessarily to scale. In particular, certain features and/or certainviews of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale for purposes ofclarification.

The present disclosure generally relates to pipeline systems that may beimplemented and/or operated to transport (e.g., convey) fluid, such asliquid and/or gas, from a fluid source to a fluid destination.Generally, a pipeline system may include pipe fittings (e.g.,connectors), such as a midline pipe fitting and/or a pipe end fitting,and one or more pipe segments, which each includes tubing that defines(e.g., encloses) a corresponding pipe bore. In particular, a pipesegment may generally be secured and sealed in one or more pipe fittingsto facilitate fluidly coupling the pipe segment to another pipe segment,a fluid source, and/or a fluid destination. Merely as an illustrativenon-limiting example, a pipeline system may include a first pipe endfitting that couples a first pipe segment to a fluid source, a midlinepipe fitting that couples the first pipe segment to a second pipesegment, and a second pipe end fitting that couples the second pipesegment to a fluid destination.

Additionally, in some instances, a pipe deployment system may beimplemented and/or operated to facilitate deploying one or more pipesegments in a pipeline system. In particular, in some such instances, apipe segment to be deployed in the pipeline system may be loaded into apipe deployment frame of the pipe deployment system. In other instances,a pipe segment to be deployed in the pipeline system may be loaded ontoa pipe deployment trailer of the pipe deployment system, for example,which may be selectively moved (e.g., towed) by a tow vehicle, such as atruck.

To facilitate deploying a pipe segment via a pipe deployment system, insome instances, the pipe segment may be loaded into the pipe deploymentsystem as one or more coils. In particular, in some such instances, thepipe segment may be wrapped (e.g., spooled and/or coiled) on a pipe drumthat may be coupled to a pipe deployment trailer and/or a pipedeployment frame. In such instances, pulling on a free end of the pipesegment may cause the pipe drum to rotate and, thus, more of the pipesegment to be unwrapped from the pipe drum, thereby facilitatingdeployment of the pipe segment in a pipeline system.

To facilitate controlling pipe deployment speed, a pipe deploymentsystem may include a brake assembly, which includes one or more brakepads and a brake wheel implemented proximate to the one or more brakepads. In particular, in some instances, the brake wheel may include ashaft socket, which is keyed to matingly interface with a correspondingkeyed shaft to facilitate tying rotation of the brake wheel to rotationof the keyed shaft. For example, the shaft socket of the brake assemblymay be keyed such that the brake shaft socket includes one or more flatinner surfaces. Thus, to facilitate tying its rotation to the rotationof the brake wheel, the pipe drum may include a drum shaft, whichextends out from its drum body on which one or more pipe segments arewrapped (e.g., coiled) and is keyed with one or more corresponding flatouter surfaces.

In other instances, a pipe segment to be deployed in a pipeline systemmay be wrapped (e.g., spooled and/or coiled) on a pipe reel, whichincludes a first reel end, a second reel end, and a reel drum coupledbetween the first reel end and the second reel end. In particular, insuch instances, one or more pipe segments may be wrapped on the reeldrum and the reel ends may each include one or more reel spokes, whichare implemented to facilitate containing the one or more pipe segmentson the reel drum. However, in some such instances, a pipe reel may notinclude a reel shaft, for example, instead including shaft openings thatenable a discrete (e.g., separate) shaft to be inserted through the reelends and the reel drum of the pipe reel.

Moreover, in other instances, a pipe reel may include a reel shaft(e.g., axle) that extends from its first reel end to its second reelend, for example, through its reel drum. In other words, in suchinstances, the reel shaft may end at the reel ends and, thus, not extendout past the reel ends. As such, the lack of an extended reel shaft maylimit the ability of a pipe deployment system to deploy a pipe segmentdirectly from a pipe reel, which, at least in some instances, may limitthe operational flexibility and/or operational efficiency of the pipedeployment system, for example, due to the pipe segment beingtransferred from the pipe reel to a pipe drum, which includes anextended drum shaft, before the pipe deployment system is able to deploythe pipe segment in a pipeline system.

Accordingly, to facilitate improving operational flexibility and/oroperational efficiency of a pipe deployment system, the presentdisclosure provides techniques for implementing (e.g., manufacturing)and/or deploying (e.g., installing) a shaft adapter assembly, forexample, at a pipe reel on which one or more pipe segments to bedeployed in a pipeline system are wrapped (e.g., coiled and/or spooled).In particular, as will be described in more detail below, the shaftadapter assembly may be coupled to a pipe reel to facilitate interfacingthe pipe reel with a brake assembly of a pipe deployment trailer and/ora pipe deployment frame in the pipe deployment system. In other words,implementing and/or deploying a shaft adapter assembly in accordancewith the techniques described in the present disclosure may facilitatetying rotation of the pipe reel and, thus, deployment speed of a pipesegment wrapped on the pipe reel to rotation of a brake wheel in thebrake assembly.

To facilitate tying rotation of a pipe reel to rotation of a brakeassembly, a shaft adapter assembly may be coupled therebetween tofacilitate tying rotation of the shaft adapter assembly to rotation of abrake wheel of the brake assembly as well as to rotation of the pipereel. In particular, to facilitate tying rotation of the pipe reel withrotation of the brake assembly, the shaft adapter assembly may includeadapter heads, which are each implemented to be partially inserted intoa corresponding shaft opening in a pipe reel to facilitate implementingan adapter shaft that extends out beyond the reel ends of the pipe reel.For example, a first adapter head of the shaft adapter assembly mayinclude a first adapter shaft that is implemented to be partiallyinserted into a first shaft opening on a first side of the pipe reel.Additionally, a second adapter head of the shaft adapter assembly mayinclude a second adapter shaft that is implemented to be partiallyinserted into a second shaft opening on a second (e.g., opposite) sideof the pipe reel.

Furthermore, to facilitate tying rotation of the shaft adapter assemblyto rotation of the brake assembly, an (e.g., first) adapter head of theshaft adapter assembly may be keyed to matingly interlock (e.g.,interface and/or engage) with a keyed shaft socket on the brake wheel ofthe brake assembly. As described above, in some embodiments, a shaftsocket on a brake wheel may be keyed with one or more flat innersurfaces. Thus, in such embodiments, the adapter shaft of the adapterhead may be keyed with one or more flat outer surfaces, which eachcorrespond with a flat inner surface of the keyed shaft socket on thebrake wheel.

Moreover, to facilitate tying rotation of the shaft adapter assemblyand, thus, rotation of the brake assembly to rotation of the pipe reel,an (e.g., first) adapter head of the shaft adapter assembly may includea rotation control plate with one or more rotation control pins that areeach implemented to be inserted through a corresponding reel end of thepipe reel, for example, between adjacent reel spokes in the reel end.Additionally, to facilitate properly loading a pipe reel onto a pipedeployment trailer, in some embodiments, one or more adapter heads ofthe shaft adapter assembly may each include an adapter guide plate, forexample, which is implemented to interface (e.g., interlock) with acorresponding equipment guide plate on the pipe deployment trailer tofacilitate properly aligning the shaft adapter assembly and, thus, thepipe reel with the pipe deployment trailer. Furthermore, to facilitatesupporting the weight of a pipe reel and one or more pipe segmentswrapped on the pipe reel, in some embodiments, a shaft adapter assemblymay additionally or alternatively include a support shaft that isimplemented to be coupled between its adapter heads. In this manner, aswill be described in more detail below, the techniques described in thepresent disclosure may facilitate enabling a pipe segment to be deployeddirectly from a pipe reel that does not include an extended reel shaft,which, at least in some instances, may facilitate improving operationalflexibility and/or operational efficiency of a pipe deployment system,for example, at least in part by obviating a transfer of the pipesegment from the pipe reel to a pipe drum that includes an extended drumshaft before the pipe deployment system can deploy the pipe segment in apipeline system.

To help illustrate, an example of a pipeline system 10 is shown in FIG.1 . As in the depicted example, the pipeline system 10 may be coupledbetween a bore fluid source 12 and a bore fluid destination 14. Merelyas an illustrative not limiting example, the bore fluid source 12 may bea production well and the bore fluid destination 14 may be a fluidstorage tank. In other instances, the bore fluid source 12 may be afirst (e.g., lease facility) storage tank and the bore fluid destination14 may be a second (e.g., refinery) storage tank.

In any case, the pipeline system 10 may generally be implemented and/oroperated to facilitate transporting (e.g., conveying) fluid, such as gasand/or liquid, from the bore fluid source 12 to the bore fluiddestination 14. In fact, in some embodiments, the pipeline system 10 maybe used in many applications, including without limitation, both onshoreand offshore oil and gas applications. For example, in such embodiments,the pipeline system 10 may be used to transport one or morehydrocarbons, such as crude oil, petroleum, natural gas, or anycombination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the pipeline system10 may be used to transport one or more other types of fluid, such asproduced water, fresh water, fracturing fluid, flowback fluid, carbondioxide, or any combination thereof.

To facilitate flowing fluid to the bore fluid destination 14, in someembodiments, the bore fluid source 12 may include one or more bore fluidpumps 16 that are implemented and/or operated to inject (e.g., pumpand/or supply) fluid from the bore fluid source 12 into a bore of thepipeline system 10. However, it should be appreciated that the depictedexample is merely intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Inparticular, in other embodiments, one or more bore fluid pumps 16 maynot be implemented at the bore fluid source 12, for example, when fluidflow through the bore of the pipeline system 10 is produced by gravity.Additionally or alternatively, in other embodiments, one or more borefluid pumps 16 may be implemented in the pipeline system 10 and/or atthe bore fluid destination 14.

To facilitate transporting fluid from the bore fluid source 12 to thebore fluid destination 14, as in the depicted example, a pipeline system10 may include one or more pipe fittings (e.g., connectors) 18 and oneor more pipe segments 20. For example, the depicted pipeline system 10includes a first pipe segment 20A, a second pipe segment 20B, and an Nthpipe segment 20N. Additionally, the depicted pipeline system 10 includesa first pipe (e.g., end) fitting 18A, which couples the bore fluidsource 12 to the first pipe segment 20A, a second pipe (e.g., midline)fitting 18B, which couples the first pipe segment 20A to the second pipesegment 20B, and an Nth pipe (e.g., end) fitting 18N, which couples theNth pipe segment 20N to the bore fluid destination 14.

However, it should again be appreciated that the depicted example ismerely intended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, inother embodiments, a pipeline system 10 may include fewer (e.g., one)pipe segments 20. Additionally or alternatively, in other embodiments, apipeline system 10 may include fewer (e.g., two) pipe fittings 18.

In any case, as described above, a pipe segment 20 generally includestubing that may be used to convey (e.g., transfer and/or transport)water, gas, oil, and/or any other suitable type of fluid. The tubing ofa pipe segment 20 may be made of any suitable type of material, such asplastic, metal, and/or a composite (e.g., fiber-reinforced composite)material. In fact, as will be described in more detail below, in someembodiments, the tubing of a pipe segment 20 may be implemented usingmultiple different layers. For example, the tubing of a pipe segment 20may include a first high-density polyethylene (e.g., internal corrosionprotection) layer, one or more reinforcement (e.g., steel strip) layersexternal to the first high-density polyethylene layer, and a secondhigh-density polyethylene (e.g., external corrosion protection) layerexternal to the one or more reinforcement layers.

Additionally, as in the depicted example, one or more (e.g., secondand/or Nth) pipe segments 20 in a pipeline system 10 may be curved. Tofacilitate implementing a curve in a pipe segment 20, in someembodiments, the pipe segment 20 may be flexible, for example, such thatthe pipe segment 20 is spoolable on a pipe reel and/or a pipe drum(e.g., during transport and/or before deployment of the pipe segment20). In other words, in some embodiments, one or more pipe segments 20in the pipeline system 10 may be a flexible pipe, such as a bondedflexible pipe, an unbonded flexible pipe, a flexible composite pipe(FCP), a thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP), or a reinforcedthermoplastic pipe (RTP). In fact, at least in some instances,increasing flexibility of a pipe segment 20 may facilitate improvingdeployment efficiency of a pipeline system 10, for example, by obviatinga curved (e.g., elbow) pipe fitting 18 and/or enabling the pipe segment20 to be transported to the pipeline system 10, deployed in the pipelinesystem 10, or both using a tighter spool.

To facilitate improving pipe flexibility, in some embodiments, thetubing of a pipe segment 20 that defines (e.g., encloses) its pipe boremay include one or more openings devoid of solid material. In fact, insome embodiments, an opening in the tubing of a pipe segment 20 may run(e.g., span) the length of the pipe segment 20 and, thus, define (e.g.,enclose) a fluid conduit in the annulus of the tubing, which is separatefrom the pipe bore. In other words, in such embodiments, fluid may flowthrough a pipe segment 20 via its pipe bore, a fluid conduit implementedwithin its tubing annulus, or both.

To help illustrate, an example of a pipe segment 20, which includestubing 22 with fluid conduits 24 implemented in its annulus 25, is shownin FIG. 2 . As depicted, the pipe segment tubing 22 is implemented withmultiple layers including an inner (e.g., innermost) layer 26 and anouter (e.g., outermost) layer 28. In some embodiments, the inner layer26 and/or the outer layer 28 of the pipe segment tubing 22 may beimplemented using composite material and/or plastic, such ashigh-density polyethylene (HDPE) and/or raised temperature polyethylene(PE-RT). In any case, as depicted, an inner surface 30 of the innerlayer 26 defines (e.g., encloses) a pipe bore 32 through which fluid canflow, for example, to facilitate transporting fluid from a bore fluidsource 12 to a bore fluid destination 14.

Additionally, as depicted, the annulus 25 of the pipe segment tubing 22is implemented between its inner layer 26 and its outer layer 28. Aswill be described in more detail below, the tubing annulus 25 mayinclude one or more intermediate layer of the pipe segment tubing 22.Furthermore, as depicted, fluid conduits 24 running along the length ofthe pipe segment 20 are defined (e.g., enclosed) in the tubing annulus25. As described above, a fluid conduit 24 in the tubing annulus 25 maybe devoid of solid material. As such, pipe segment tubing 22 thatincludes one or more fluid conduits 24 therein may include less solidmaterial and, thus, exert less resistance to flexure, for example,compared to solid pipe segment tubing 22 and/or pipe segment tubing 22that does not include fluid conduits 24 implemented therein. Moreover,to facilitate further improving pipe flexibility, in some embodiments,one or more layers in the tubing 22 of a pipe segment 20 may be unbondedfrom one or more other layers in the tubing 22 and, thus, the pipesegment 20 may be an unbonded pipe.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in otherembodiments, pipe segment tubing 22 may include fewer (e.g., one) ormore (e.g., three, four, or more) fluid conduits 24 defined in itstubing annulus 25. Additionally or alternatively, in other embodiments,a fluid conduit 24 defined in the tubing annulus 25 of a pipe segment 20may run non-parallel to the pipe bore 32 of the pipe segment 20, forexample, such that the fluid conduit 24 is skewed relative to the axial(e.g., longitudinal) extent of the pipe bore 32.

To help illustrate, an example of a portion 36 of a pipe segment 20,which includes an inner layer 26 and an intermediate layer 34 includedin the annulus 25 of its pipe segment tubing 22, is shown in FIG. 3 . Insome embodiments, one or more intermediate layers 34 of pipe segmenttubing 22 may be implemented at least in part using composite materialand/or metal, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, duplex stainlesssteel, super duplex stainless steel, or any combination thereof. Inother words, at least in some such embodiments, the intermediate layer34 of the pipe segment tubing 22 may be implemented using electricallyconductive, which, at least in some instances, may enable communicationof electrical (e.g., control and/or sensor) signals via the intermediatelayer 34.

In any case, as depicted, the intermediate layer 34 is helicallydisposed (e.g., wound and/or wrapped) on the inner layer 26 such thatgaps (e.g., openings) are left between adjacent windings to define afluid conduit 24. In other words, in some embodiments, the intermediatelayer 34 may be implemented at least in part by winding a metal (e.g.,steel) strip around the inner layer 26 at a non-zero lay angle (e.g.,fifty-four degrees) relative to the axial (e.g., longitudinal) extent ofthe pipe bore 32. In any case, as depicted, the resulting fluid conduit24 runs helically along the pipe segment 20, for example, such that thefluid conduit 24 is skewed fifty-four degrees relative to the axialextent of the pipe bore 32.

In some embodiments, an outer layer 28 may be disposed directly over thedepicted intermediate layer 34 and, thus, cover and/or define (e.g.,enclose) the depicted fluid conduit 24. However, in other embodiments,the tubing annulus 25 of pipe segment tubing 22 may include multiple(e.g., two, three, four, or more) intermediate layers 34. In otherwords, in such embodiments, one or more other intermediate layers 34 maybe disposed over the depicted intermediate layer 34. In fact, in somesuch embodiments, the one or more other intermediate layers 34 may alsoeach be helically disposed such that gaps are left between adjacentwindings to implement one or more corresponding fluid conduits 24 in thepipe segment tubing 22.

For example, a first other intermediate layer 34 may be helicallydisposed on the depicted intermediate layer 34 using the same non-zerolay angle as the depicted intermediate layer 34 to cover (e.g., defineand/or enclose) the depicted fluid conduit 24 and to implement anotherfluid conduit 24 in the first other intermediate layer 34. Additionally,a second other intermediate layer 34 may be helically disposed on thefirst other intermediate layer 34 using another non-zero lay angle,which is the inverse of the non-zero lay angle of the depictedintermediate layer 34, to implement another fluid conduit 24 in thesecond other intermediate layer 34. Furthermore, a third otherintermediate layer 34 may be helically disposed on the second otherintermediate layer 34 using the same non-zero lay angle as the secondother intermediate layer 34 to cover the other fluid conduit 24 in thesecond other intermediate layer 34 and to implement another fluidconduit 24 in the third other intermediate layer 34. In someembodiments, an outer layer 28 may be disposed over the third otherintermediate layer 34 and, thus, cover (e.g., define and/or enclose) theother fluid conduit 24 in the third other intermediate layer 34. In anycase, as described above, in some embodiments, one or more pipe segments20 may be deployed in a pipeline system 10 using a pipe deploymentsystem.

To help illustrate, an example of a pipe deployment system 38A is shownin FIG. 4 . As depicted, the pipe deployment system 38A includes a towvehicle 40 and a pipe deployment trailer 42 on which one or more pipesegments 20 are loaded. In particular, as depicted, the tow vehicle 40and the pipe deployment trailer 42 are coupled together via a hitchassembly 44 on the tow vehicle 40 and a tongue assembly 46 on the pipedeployment trailer 42.

Additionally, as in the depicted example, a tow vehicle 40 may includeone or more vehicle wheels 48. In particular, in the depicted example,the tow vehicle 40 includes a first vehicle wheel 48A and a secondvehicle wheel 48B. However, it should be appreciated that the depictedexample is merely intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Forexample, the tow vehicle 40 may additionally include a third vehiclewheel 48 opposite the first vehicle wheel 48A and a fourth vehicle wheel48 opposite the second vehicle wheel 48B. Additionally or alternatively,in other embodiments, one or more vehicle wheels 48 may instead beimplemented as part of a vehicle track assembly.

Furthermore, as in the depicted example, a pipe deployment trailer 42may include one or more trailer wheels 50. In particular, in thedepicted example, the pipe deployment trailer 48 includes a firsttrailer wheel 50A and a second trailer wheel 50B. However, it shouldagain be appreciated that the depicted example is merely intended to beillustrative and not limiting. For example, the pipe deployment trailer42 may additionally include a third trailer wheel 50 opposite the firsttrailer wheel 50A and a fourth trailer wheel 50 opposite the secondtrailer wheel 50B.

To help further illustrate, an example of a pipe deployment trailer 42A,which may be used in a pipe deployment system 38, is shown in FIG. 5 .As depicted, the pipe deployment trailer 42A includes a lifting assembly52, a tongue assembly 46A, a first trailer wheel 50A, a second trailerwheel 50B, a third trailer wheel 50C, and a fourth trailer wheel 50D. Inparticular, as depicted, the tongue assembly 46 includes a trailercoupler 56, which is implemented to be coupled to a trailer hitch in acorresponding hitch assembly 44. Additionally, as depicted, the pipedeployment trailer 42A includes a braking assembly 54, which may beimplemented and/or operated to facilitate controlling pipe deploymentspeed of the pipe deployment trailer 42A.

To help illustrate, an example of a brake assembly 54A, which may bedeployed in a pipe deployment system 38, is shown in FIG. 6 . As in thedepicted example, a braking assembly 54 may include a brake wheel 58,one or more brake wheel guide plates 60 implemented proximate to thebrake wheel 58, and one or more brake pads 62 implemented proximate tothe brake wheel 58. In other words, in some embodiments, the one or morebrake pads 62 may be implemented and/or operated to selectively engagethe brake wheel 58 and, thus, resist (e.g., slow) rotation of the brakewheel 58.

Additionally, as depicted, the brake wheel 58 includes a shaft socket64, which is implemented to matingly interlock (e.g., interface) with ashaft (e.g., axle). In particular, to facilitate matingly interfacingwith a shaft, the shaft socket 64 may be keyed with one or more flatinner surfaces 66. For example, the shaft socket 64 may be keyed with afirst flat inner surface 66A and a second flat inner surface 66B.Furthermore, as in the depicted example, in some embodiments, the shaftsocket 64 may include a shaft insertion opening 68, which is implementedto enable a shaft to be inserted into the shaft socket 64.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in otherembodiments, a brake assembly 54 in a pipe deployment system 38 mayinclude less than two (e.g., one) brake pads 62 or more than two brakepads 62. Additionally or alternatively, in other embodiments, a brakeassembly 54 in a pipe deployment system 38 may include less than two(e.g., zero or one) brake wheel guide plates 60 or more than two brakewheel guide plates 60. Furthermore, in other embodiments, a shaft socket64 of a brake assembly 54 may additionally or alternatively be keyedwith a single flat inner surface 66 or more than two flat inner surfaces66.

Returning to the example pipe deployment trailer 42A of FIG. 5 , in someembodiments, the lifting assembly 52 of the pipe deployment trailer 42Amay be operated to facilitate matingly interfacing (e.g., engaging) ashaft with a shaft socket 64 in the brake assembly 54. In particular, asin the depicted example, the lifting assembly 52 may include one or moreactuators (e.g., pullies) 69, which are each implemented and/or operatedto selectively raise (e.g., lift) a corresponding lifting hook 70 and,thus, a shaft loaded on the lifting hook 70 until a correspondingvertical stop 71 is reached and/or to selectively lower (e.g., drop) thelifting hook 70 and, thus, the shaft loaded on the lifting hook 70 fromthe vertical stop 71. In other words, in some such embodiments, thelifting assembly 52 may be operated to selectively raise a keyed shaftsuch that the keyed shaft is slid through a shaft insertion opening 68into the shaft socket 64 of the brake assembly 54.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in otherembodiments, a pipe deployment trailer 42 may not include a liftingassembly 52, for example, when the pipe deployment trailer 42 isimplemented such that a pipe reel is loaded at least in part byselectively contracting the pipe deployment trailer 42 around the pipereel. Additionally, in other embodiments, a pipe deployment system 38may not include a pipe deployment trailer 42, for example, when the pipedeployment system 38 instead includes a pipe deployment frame.

To help illustrate, an example of a pipe deployment system 38B, whichincludes a pipe deployment frame 72, is shown in FIG. 7 . As depicted,the pipe deployment frame 72 includes a frame base 74 on which one ormore pipe segments 20 may be loaded. Additionally, as depicted, the pipedeployment frame 72 includes support arms 76—namely a first support arm76A, a second support arm 76B, a third support arm 76C, and a fourthsupport arm 76D. In particular, as in the depicted example, a brakeassembly 54 of the pipe deployment system 38B may be coupled to theframe base 74 via one or more of the support arms 76.

In any case, as described above, a pipe segment 20 to be deployed in apipeline system 10 may be loaded in a pipe deployment system 38. Inparticular, the pipe segment 20 may be loaded into a pipe deploymentframe 72 or onto a pipe deployment trailer 42 as one or more coils. Forexample, the pipe segment 20 may be wrapped (e.g., coiled and/orspooled) on a pipe drum.

To help illustrate, an example of a pipe segment 20 disposed on a pipedrum 78 is shown in FIG. 8 . In some embodiments, the pipe segment 20may be coiled at least in part by wrapping the pipe segment 20 directlyon the pipe drum 78. In other embodiments, the pipe segment 20 may becoiled before the pipe drum 78 is inserted into and expanded within aresulting coil eye 80.

In any case, as depicted, the pipe drum 78 includes a drum shaft 82 thatextends out from its drum body on which the pipe segment 20 is wrapped.In particular, to facilitate tying rotation of the pipe drum 78 and,thus, rotation of the pipe segment 20 wrapped on the pipe drum 78 torotation of a brake assembly 54, the drum shaft 82 may be keyed tomatingly interlock (e.g., interface) with a shaft socket 64 in the brakeassembly 54. As described above, in some embodiments, the shaft socket64 of a brake assembly 54 may be keyed with one or more flat innersurfaces 66. Thus, to facilitate matingly interfacing the pipe drum 78with the shaft socket 64, the drum shaft 82 may be keyed with one ormore corresponding flat outer surfaces 84. For example, the drum shaft82 may be keyed with a first flat outer surface 84A, which isimplemented to be aligned with a first flat inner surface 66A of theshaft socket 64, and a second flat outer surface 84B, which isimplemented to be aligned with a second flat inner surface 66B of theshaft socket 64.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in otherembodiments, a drum shaft 82 of a pipe drum 78 may be keyed with asingle flat outer surface 84 or more than two flat outer surfaces 84.Additionally, as described above, in other embodiments, a pipe segment20 to be deployed in a pipeline system 10 may be wrapped (e.g., coiledand/or spooled) on a pipe reel.

To help illustrate, an example of a pipe segment 20 disposed on a pipereel 86 is shown in FIG. 9 . As depicted, the pipe reel 86 includes afirst reel end 88A, a second reel end 88B, and a reel drum 90, which iscoupled between the first reel end 88A and the second reel end 88B. Inparticular, as depicted, the reel ends 88 each include one or more reelspokes 92 implemented to facilitate containing the pipe segment 20 onthe reel drum 90.

Additionally, as in the depicted example, in some embodiments, the pipereel 86 may include a reel shaft 94 that extends from the first reel end88A to the second reel end 88B. In other words, the reel shaft 94 of thepipe reel 86 ends at the reel ends 88 and, thus, does not extend outpast the coils of the pipe segment 20. Furthermore, as in the depictedexample, in some embodiments, the reel shaft 94 may be hollow and, thus,the reel ends 88 may each include a corresponding shaft opening 96.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in otherembodiments, a pipe reel 86 may not include an integrated reel shaft 94.In such embodiments, the pipe reel 86 may instead merely include shaftopenings 96, which are implemented to enable a discrete (e.g., separate)reel shaft 94 to be inserted therethrough.

In any case, as described above, in some embodiments, a brake assembly54 of a pipe deployment system 38 may include a shaft socket 64, whichis implemented to matingly interlock (e.g., interface) with a keyedshaft. In other words, in such embodiments, the lack of a reel shaft 94that extends out past its reel ends 88 may limit the ability of a pipereel 86 to directly interlock with the brake assembly 54 and, thus, theability of the pipe deployment system 38 to deploy a pipe segment 20directly from the pipe reel 86. To facilitate interfacing the pipe reel86 with the brake assembly 54, a shaft adapter assembly may be coupledtherebetween.

To help illustrate, an example of a pipe reel 86 coupled to the brakeassembly 54 of a pipe deployment trailer 42A via a shaft adapterassembly 98 is shown in FIG. 10 . As depicted, the shaft adapterassembly 98 includes a first adapter head 100A, which is insertedthrough a first reel end 88A of the pipe reel 86, and a second adapterhead 100B, which is inserted through a second reel end 88B of the pipereel 86. In particular, as depicted, the first adapter head 100Aincludes a rotation control plate 102 with one or more rotation controlpins 104, which are inserted between adjacent reel spokes 92 in thefirst reel end 88A to facilitate tying rotation of the pipe reel 86 torotation of the shaft adapter assembly 98. To facilitate tying rotationof the shaft adapter assembly 98 and, thus, rotation of the pipe reel 86to rotation of the brake assembly 54, as depicted, the first adapterhead 100A is also coupled to a shaft socket 64 on the brake wheel 58 ofthe brake assembly 54.

At least in some instances, a pipe reel 86 may rest on the ground beforebeing loaded into a pipe deployment system 38. Thus, to facilitateloading the pipe reel 86 onto the pipe deployment trailer 42A in suchinstances, the pipe deployment trailer 42A may be moved (e.g., backedup) to the pipe reel 86. When properly aligned, one or more actuators 69on the pipe deployment trailer 42A may be operated to raisecorresponding lifting hooks 70 such that a shaft adapter assembly 98installed on the pipe reel 86 is raised to the height of the shaftsocket 64 in the brake assembly 54. To facilitate properly aligning theshaft adapter assembly 98, in some embodiments, the pipe deploymenttrailer 42A may include one or more equipment guide plates 106.Additionally, in some such embodiments, one or more adapter heads 100 ofthe shaft adapter assembly 98 may include an adapter guide plate, whichis implemented to interface (e.g., abut) with a corresponding equipmentguide plate 106.

To help illustrate, an example of a shaft adapter assembly 98A is shownin FIG. 11 . As depicted, the shaft adapter assembly 98A includes afirst adapter head 100A and a second adapter head 100B. In particular,the first adapter head 100A includes a first adapter shaft 110A and afirst adapter guide plate 108A, which is coupled between an inner end109 of the first adapter shaft 110A and an outer end 111 of the firstadapter shaft 110A. Similarly, the second adapter head 100B includes asecond adapter shaft 110B and a second adapter guide plate 108B, whichis coupled between an inner end 109 of the second adapter shaft 110B andan outer end 111 of the second adapter shaft 110B.

Generally, the inner end 109 of each adapter shaft 110 is implemented tobe inserted through a corresponding reel end 88 of a pipe reel 86 tofacilitate supporting the weight of the pipe reel 86 and one or morepipe segments 20 wrapped on the pipe reel 86. For example, the inner end109 of the second adapter shaft 110B may be implemented to be insertedthrough a shaft opening 96 in a second reel end 88B of the pipe reel 86.Similarly, the inner end 109 of the first adapter shaft 110A may beimplemented to be inserted through a shaft opening in a first reel end88A of the pipe reel 86. On the other hand, the outer end 111 of thefirst adapter shaft 110A may be implemented to matingly interlock (e.g.,interface) with the shaft socket 64 of a brake assembly 54.

In addition to the first adapter guide plate 108A, as depicted, thefirst adapter head 100A includes a rotation control plate 102 coupled(e.g., welded) to the first adapter shaft 110A. In particular, rotationcontrol pins 104 are coupled (e.g., welded) to the rotation controlplate 102 such that they extend inwardly from the rotation control plate102. In other words, as described above, the rotation control pins 104may each be implemented to be inserted between adjacent reel spokes 92to facilitate tying rotation of a corresponding pipe reel 86 to rotationof the shaft adapter assembly 98A.

Additionally, as in the depicted example, the shaft adapter assembly 98Amay include a support shaft 112 coupled between the first adapter head100A and the second adapter head 100B, for example, to facilitatesupporting the weight of the pipe reel 86 and the weight of one or morepipe segments 20 wrapped on the pipe reel 86. In some embodiments, thesupport shaft 112 and an adapter head 100 may be matingly threaded and,thus, the adapter head 100 may be secured to the support shaft 112 atleast in part by screwing the adapter head 100 onto the support shaft.Additionally or alternatively, an adapter head 100 may be secured to thesupport shaft 112 at least in part by inserting and securing a fastener,such as a pin or a bolt, in an opening in the adapter head 100 as wellas a corresponding opening in the support shaft 112.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in otherembodiments, a shaft adapter assembly 98 may not include a support shaft112. Additionally or alternatively, in other embodiments, implementationof the second adapter head 100B may generally match implementation ofthe first adapter head 100A.

In any case, as described above, in some embodiments, the shaft socket64 of a brake assembly 54 may be keyed with one or more flat innersurfaces 66. Thus, to facilitate matingly interfacing the shaft adapterassembly 98 with the shaft socket 64, the outer end 111 of an adaptershaft 110 may be keyed with one or more corresponding flat outersurfaces 84. For example, the first adapter shaft 110A of the firstadapter head 100A may be keyed with a first flat outer surface 84A,which is implemented to be aligned with a first flat inner surface 66Aof the shaft socket 64, and a second flat outer surface 84B, which isimplemented to be aligned with a second flat inner surface 66B of theshaft socket 64. In this manner, a shaft adapter assembly thatfacilitates interfacing a pipe reel 86 with a brake assembly 54 of apipe deployment system 38 may be implemented.

To help further illustrate, an example of a process 113 for implementing(e.g., manufacturing) a shaft adapter assembly 98 is described in FIG.12 . Generally, the process 113 includes implementing a first adapterhead to be coupled to a first side of a pipe reel (process block 114).Additionally, the process 113 generally includes implementing a secondadapter head to be coupled to a second side of the pipe reel (processblock 116).

Although described in a specific order, which corresponds with anembodiment of the present disclosure, it should be appreciated that theexample process 113 is merely intended to be illustrative and notlimiting. In particular, in other embodiments, a process 113 forimplementing a shaft adapter assembly 98 may include one or moreadditional process blocks and/or omit one or more of the depictedprocess blocks. For example, some embodiments of the process 113 mayadditionally include implementing a support shaft to be coupled betweenthe first adapter head and the second adapter head (process block 118)while other embodiments of the process 113 do not.

In any case, as described above, a shaft adapter assembly 98 may includea first adapter head 100A that is implemented to be coupled to a firstside of a pipe reel 86, for example, at least in part by inserting aportion of the first adapter head 100A through a first reel end 88A ofthe pipe reel 86. Thus, implementing the shaft adapter assembly 98 mayinclude implementing a first adapter head 100A to be coupled to thefirst side of the pipe reel 86 (process block 114). Additionally, asdescribed above, in some embodiments, an adapter head 100 of a shaftadapter assembly 98 may include an adapter shaft 110. Thus, in suchembodiments, implementing the first adapter head 100A may includeimplementing an adapter shaft 110 (process block 120). Morespecifically, in some embodiments, the first adapter head 100 may beimplemented at least in part by milling its adapter shaft 110 from ablock of material, such as metal. Additionally or alternatively, theadapter shaft 110 may be implemented at least in part by deforming(e.g., bending and/or molding) material, such as metal or plastic.

Moreover, as described above, in some embodiments, the adapter shaft 110of the first adapter head 100A may be implemented to matingly interlock(e.g., interface) with a shaft socket 64 of a brake assembly 54, whichis keyed with one or more flat inner surfaces 66. Thus, in suchembodiments, implementing the adapter shaft 110 may include keying theadapter shaft 110 with one or more flat outer surfaces 84. In someembodiments, the one or more flat outer surfaces 84 may be implementedduring initial manufacture of the adapter shaft 110. However, in otherembodiments, the one or more flat outer surfaces 84 may be implementedafter initial manufacture of the adapter shaft 110, for example, atleast in part by selectively shaving down a portion of a rounded outersurface.

Additionally, as described above, in some embodiments, rotation of apipe reel 86 may be tied to rotation of the shaft adapter assembly 98via one or more rotation control pins 104, which extend inwardly from arotation control plate 102 coupled to the adapter shaft 110 of the firstadapter head 100A. Thus, in some such embodiments, implementing thefirst adapter head 100A may include coupling (e.g., welding) one or morerotation control pins 104 to a rotation control plate 102 (process block122) and coupling (e.g., welding) the rotation control plate 102 to theadapter shaft 110 of the first adapter head 100A (process block 124). Inother such embodiments, the one or more rotation control pins 104 andthe rotation control plate 102 may be integrated with the adapter shaft110 of the first adapter head 100A during initial manufacture, forexample, at least in part by milling the one or more rotation controlpins 104, the rotation control plate 102, and the adapter shaft 110 froma block of material, such as metal, as a unit.

Moreover, as described above, in some embodiments, the first adapterhead 100A may include an adapter guide plate 108 coupled to its adaptershaft 110, for example, to facilitate properly aligning the shaftadapter assembly 98 and, thus, a corresponding pipe reel 86 with a pipedeployment trailer 42. Accordingly, in some such embodiments,implementing the first adapter head 100A may include coupling (e.g.,welding) an adapter guide plate 108 to the adapter shaft 110 of thefirst adapter head 100A (process block 126). In other such embodiments,the adapter guide plate 108 may be integrated with the adapter shaft 110of the first adapter head 100A during initial manufacture, for example,at least in part by milling the adapter guide plate 108 and the adaptershaft 110 from a block of material, such as metal, as a unit.

In any case, as described above, a shaft adapter assembly 98 mayadditionally include a second adapter head 100B that is implemented tobe coupled to a second (e.g., opposite) side of the pipe reel 86, forexample, at least in part by inserting a portion of the second adapterhead 100B through a second reel end 88B of the pipe reel 86. In otherwords, implementing the shaft adapter assembly 98 may includeimplementing a second adapter head 100B to be coupled to the second sideof the pipe reel 86 (process block 116). As described above, in someembodiments, the second adapter head 100B of a shaft adapter assembly 98may generally match the first adapter head 100A of the shaft adapterassembly 98. Thus, in such embodiments, the second adapter head 100B maygenerally be implemented in the same manner as the first adapter head100.

However, as described above, in other embodiments, the second adapterhead 100B of a shaft adapter assembly 98 may differ from the firstadapter head 100A of the shaft adapter assembly 98. For example, in somesuch embodiments, the second adapter head 100B may include an adapterguide plate 108 coupled to its adapter shaft 110, but not a rotationcontrol plate 102 or a rotation control pin 104. Thus, in suchembodiments, implementing the second adapter head 100B may includeimplementing an adapter shaft 110 and coupling an adapter guide plate108 to the adapter shaft 110, but not include coupling a rotationcontrol pin 104 to a rotation control plate 102 or coupling the rotationcontrol plate 102 to the adapter shaft 110 of the second adapter head100B.

Moreover, as described above, in some embodiments, the shaft adapterassembly 98 may include a support shaft 112 that is implemented to becoupled between the first adapter head 100A and the second adapter head100B of the shaft adapter assembly 98. Thus, in such embodiments,implementing the shaft adapter assembly 98 may include implementing asupport shaft 112 to be coupled between the first adapter head 100A andthe second adapter head 100B (process block 118). More specifically, insome embodiments, the support shaft 112 may be implemented at least inpart by milling the support shaft 112 from a block of material, such asmetal. Additionally or alternatively, the support shaft 112 may beimplemented at least in part by deforming (e.g., bending and/or molding)material, such as metal or plastic. In fact, in some embodiments, thesupport shaft 112 may be hollow to facilitate reducing the weight of theshaft adapter assembly 98, which, at least in some instances, mayfacilitate improving the ease with which the shaft adapter assembly 98can be deployed (e.g., installed) at a pipe reel 86 and, thus,deployment efficiency of the shaft adapter assembly 98.

In any case, as described above, when a support shaft 112 is included,the adapter heads 100 of the shaft adapter assembly 98 may each besecured to the support shaft 112. In particular, in some embodiments, anadapter head 100 may be secured to the support shaft 112 at least inpart by screwing the adapter head 100 onto the support shaft 112. Thus,in such embodiments, implementing the support shaft 112 may includeimplementing threading on the support shaft 112. In other embodiments,an adapter head 100 may be secured to the support shaft 112 at least inpart by inserting and securing a fastener, such as a pin or a bolt, inan opening in the adapter head 100 as well as a corresponding opening inthe support shaft 112. Thus, in such embodiments, implementing thesupport shaft 112 may include implementing a fastener opening in thesupport shaft 112. By implementing a shaft adapter assembly 98 in thismanner, the shaft adapter assembly 98 may then be deployed (e.g.,installed) at a pipe reel 86 to facilitate enabling a pipe deploymentsystem 38 to deploy one or more pipe segments 20 wrapped on the pipereel 86 in a pipeline system 10 directly from the pipe reel 86, which,at least in some instances, may facilitate improving operationalflexibility and/or operational efficiency of the pipe deployment system38, for example, at least in part by obviating a transfer of the one ormore pipe segment 20 from the pipe reel 86 to a pipe drum 78 thatincludes an extended drum shaft 82.

To help illustrate, an example process 128 for deploying (e.g.,installing) a shaft adapter assembly 98 at a pipe reel 86 is describedin FIG. 13 . Generally, the process 128 includes coupling a firstadapter head to a first side of a pipe reel (process block 130) andcoupling a second adapter head to a second side of the pipe reel(process block 132). Although described in a specific order, whichcorresponds with an embodiment of the present disclosure, it should beappreciated that the example process 128 is merely intended to beillustrative and not limiting. In particular, in other embodiments, aprocess 128 for deploying a shaft adapter assembly 98 at a pipe reel 86may include one or more additional process blocks and/or omit one ormore of the depicted process blocks.

In any case, as described above, a shaft adapter assembly 98 may includea first adapter head 100A that is implemented to be coupled to a firstside of a pipe reel 86. Thus, deploying the shaft adapter assembly 98may include coupling the first adapter head 100A to the first side ofthe pipe reel 86 (process block 130). In particular, in someembodiments, the first adapter head 100A may be coupled to at least inpart by coupling the first adapter head 100A to a first reel end 88Aimplemented on the first side of the pipe reel 86.

Additionally, as described above, in some embodiments, an adapter head100 of a shaft adapter assembly 98 may include an adapter shaft 110,which is implemented to be partially inserted into a shaft opening 96 ofa pipe reel 86 to facilitate coupling the shaft adapter assembly 98 tothe pipe reel 86. Thus, in such embodiments, coupling the first adapterhead 100A to the pipe reel 86 may include inserting a first adaptershaft 110A of the first adapter head 100A into a first shaft opening 96on the first side of the pipe reel 86 (process block 134). Furthermore,as described above, in some embodiments, the first adapter head 100A mayinclude one or more rotation control pins 104, which are eachimplemented to be inserted between adjacent reel spokes 92 in the firstreel end 88A to facilitate tying rotation of the shaft adapter assembly98 to rotation of the pipe reel 86. Thus, in such embodiments, couplingthe first adapter head 100A to the pipe reel 86 may include insertingone or more rotation control pins 104 between adjacent reel spokes 92 onthe first side of the pipe reel 86 (process block 136).

Moreover, as described above, in some embodiments, a shaft adapterassembly 98 may include a support shaft 112, which is implemented to becoupled between its adapter heads 100. In particular, in suchembodiments, the support shaft 112 may be implemented such that, whendeployed at a pipe reel 86, the support shaft 112 runs axially withinthe reel drum 90 of the pipe reel 86. Thus, in such embodiments,coupling the first adapter head 100A to the pipe reel 86 may includesecuring the support shaft 112 to the first adapter head 100A (processblock 138) and inserting the support shaft 112 through the first shaftopening 96 on the first side of the pipe reel 86 (process block 140).More specifically, in some embodiments, the first adapter head 100A maybe secured to the support shaft 112 at least in part by screwing thefirst adapter head 100A onto the support shaft 112. In otherembodiments, the first adapter head 100A may be secured to the supportshaft 112 at least in part by inserting and securing a fastener, such asa pin or a bolt, in an opening in the first adapter head 100A and acorresponding opening in the support shaft 112.

In any case, as described above, the shaft adapter assembly 98 mayadditionally include a second adapter head 100B that is implemented tobe coupled to a second (e.g., opposite) side of the pipe reel 86. Thus,deploying the shaft adapter assembly 98 may include coupling the secondadapter head 100B to the second side of the pipe reel 86 (process block132). In particular, in some embodiments, the second adapter head 100Bmay be coupled to the pipe reel 86 at least in part by coupling thesecond adapter head 100B to a second reel end 88B implemented on thesecond side of the pipe reel 86. Additionally, as described above, insome embodiments, an adapter head 100 of a shaft adapter assembly 98 mayinclude an adapter shaft 110, which is implemented to be partiallyinserted into a shaft opening 96 of a pipe reel 86 to facilitatecoupling the shaft adapter assembly 98 to the pipe reel 86. Thus, insuch embodiments, coupling the second adapter head 100B to the pipe reel86 may include inserting a second adapter shaft 110B of the secondadapter head 100B into a second shaft opening 96 on the second side ofthe pipe reel 86 (process block 142).

Furthermore, as described above, in some embodiments, a shaft adapterassembly 98 may include a support shaft 112, which is implemented to becoupled between its adapter heads 100. Moreover, as described above, insome such embodiments, the support shaft 112 may be inserted into thepipe reel 86 along with the first adapter head 100A opposite the secondadapter head 100B. Thus, in such embodiments, coupling the secondadapter head 100B to the pipe reel 86 may include securing the secondadapter head 110B to the support shaft 112 (process block 144). Morespecifically, in some embodiments, the second adapter head 100B may besecured to the support shaft 112 at least in part by screwing the secondadapter head 100B onto the support shaft 112. In other embodiments, thesecond adapter head 100B may be secured to the support shaft 112 atleast in part by inserting and securing a fastener, such as a pin or abolt, in an opening in the second adapter head 100B and a correspondingopening in the support shaft 112.

In this manner, a shaft adapter assembly 98 may be deployed (e.g.,installed) at a pipe reel 86 to facilitate enabling a pipe deploymentsystem 38 to deploy one or more pipe segments 20 in a pipeline system 10directly from the pipe reel 86. In particular, in some embodiments,deploying the shaft adapter assembly 98 at the pipe reel 86 may enablethe pipe reel 86 to be loaded into a pipe deployment frame 72 such thata brake assembly 54 of the pipe deployment frame 72 can be used tocontrol rotation of the pipe reel 86 and, thus, deployment speed of apipe segment 20 wrapped (e.g., spooled and/or coiled) on the pipe reel86. Additionally or alternatively, deploying the shaft adapter assembly98 at the pipe reel 86 may enable the pipe reel 86 to be loaded onto apipe deployment trailer 42 such that a brake assembly 54 of the pipedeployment trailer 42 can be used to control rotation of the pipe reel86 and, thus, deployment speed of a pipe segment 20 wrapped on the pipereel 86.

To help illustrate, an example process 146 for loading a pipe reel 86onto a pipe deployment trailer 42 is described in FIG. 14 . Generally,the process includes moving a pipe deployment trailer to a pipe reelinstalled with a shaft adapter assembly (process block 148) and engagingthe shaft adapter assembly with a brake assembly of the pipe deploymenttrailer (process block 150). Although described in a specific order,which corresponds with an embodiment of the present disclosure, itshould be appreciated that the example process 146 is merely intended tobe illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in other embodiments, aprocess 146 for loading a pipe reel 86 onto a pipe deployment trailer 42may include one or more additional process blocks and/or omit one ormore of the depicted process blocks.

As described above, a pipe reel 86 often rests on the ground beforebeing loaded onto a pipe deployment trailer 42. Thus, to facilitateloading a pipe reel 86 installed with a shaft adapter assembly 98thereon, the pipe deployment trailer 42 may be moved to the pipe reel 86(process block 148). For example, in some embodiments, a tow vehicle 40coupled to the pipe deployment trailer 42 may back up the pipedeployment trailer 42 to the pipe reel 86 installed with the shaftadapter assembly 98.

Additionally, as described above, in some embodiments, the shaft adapterassembly 98 may be aligned with a lifting assembly 52 on the pipedeployment trailer 42 to enable the lifting assembly 52 to lift the pipereel 86 installed with the shaft adapter assembly 98 onto the pipedeployment trailer 42 (process block 152). To facilitate properalignment, as described above, in some embodiments, the pipe deploymenttrailer 42 may include one or more equipment guide plates 106 and theshaft adapter assembly 98 may include one or more corresponding adapterguide plates 108. In fact, in some such embodiments, moving the pipedeployment trailer 42 to the pipe reel 86 on which the shaft adapterassembly 98 is installed may self-align an adapter guide plate 108 witha corresponding equipment guide plate 106, for example, due tointeraction between the adapter guide plate 108 and the equipment guideplate 106 resulting from improper alignment pushing the shaft adapterassembly 98 toward the proper alignment.

In other embodiments, a pipe reel 86 installed with a shaft adapterassembly 98 may be loaded onto the pipe deployment trailer 42 at leastin part by contracting the pipe deployment trailer 42 around the shaftadapter assembly 98. In other words, in such embodiments, the pipedeployment trailer 42 may have an adaptively adjustable width. Thus, insuch embodiments, moving the pipe deployment trailer 42 to the pipe reel86 may include expanding the width of the pipe deployment trailer 42(process block 154).

In any case, the shaft adapter assembly 98 installed on the pipe reel 86may then be engaged with the brake assembly 54 of the pipe deploymenttrailer 42 (process block 150). As described above, in some embodiments,the shaft socket 64 of a brake assembly 54 may be keyed with one or moreflat inner surfaces 66 and the adapter shaft 110 of an adapter head 100,which is implemented to matingly interlock (e.g., interface and/orengage) with the shaft socket 64, may be keyed with one or morecorresponding flat outer surfaces 84. Thus, to facilitate matinglyengaging the shaft adapter assembly 98 with the brake assembly 54, insuch embodiments, the keyed adapter shaft 110 may be aligned with thekeyed shaft socket 64 in the brake assembly 54 (process block 156).

Additionally, as described above, in some embodiments, the shaft adapterassembly 98 may be lifted up to the height of the brake assembly 54 ofthe pipe deployment trailer 42. Thus, in such embodiments, engaging theshaft adapter assembly 98 with the brake assembly 54 may include liftingthe shaft adapter assembly 98 and, thus, the pipe reel 86 on which theshaft adapter assembly 98 is installed, for example, via a liftingassembly 52 on the pipe deployment trailer 42 (process block 158). Inother embodiments, a pipe reel 86 installed with a shaft adapterassembly 98 may be loaded on the pipe deployment trailer 42 at least inpart by contracting the pipe deployment trailer 42 around the shaftadapter assembly 98 and, thus, the pipe reel 86 on which the shaftadapter assembly 98 is installed (process block 160). In this manner,the techniques described in the present disclosure may facilitateenabling a pipe segment to be deployed directly from a pipe reel thatdoes not include an extended reel shaft, which, at least in someinstances, may facilitate improving operational flexibility and/oroperational efficiency of a pipe deployment system, for example, atleast in part by obviating a transfer of the pipe segment from the pipereel to a pipe drum that includes an extended drum shaft before the pipedeployment system can be used to deploy the pipe segment in a pipelinesystem.

While the present disclosure has been described with respect to alimited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefitof this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may bedevised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure asdescribed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should belimited only by the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pipe deployment system comprising: pipedeployment equipment, wherein the pipe deployment equipment comprises:an equipment guide plate; and a braking assembly configured tofacilitate controlling deployment speed of a pipe segment from a pipereel loaded on the pipe deployment equipment; and an adapter head,wherein the adapter head comprises: an adapter shaft configured to bepartially inserted through a shaft opening in the pipe reel and tomatingly interlock with the braking assembly; and an adapter guide platesecured circumferentially around the adapter shaft, wherein the adapterguide plate is configured to engage the equipment guide plate on thepipe deployment equipment to facilitate properly aligning the pipe reelwith the pipe deployment equipment.
 2. The pipe deployment system ofclaim 1, wherein the pipe deployment equipment comprises a pipedeployment trailer or a pipe deployment frame.
 3. The pipe deploymentsystem of claim 1, wherein: the braking assembly of the pipe deploymentequipment comprises a brake wheel that is keyed with one or more flatinner surfaces; and the adapter shaft of the adapter head is keyed withone or more flat outer surfaces that are configured to be aligned withthe one or more flat inner surfaces on the brake wheel in the brakingassembly to facilitate matingly interlocking the braking assembly withthe adapter head.
 4. The pipe deployment system of claim 1, wherein thepipe deployment equipment comprises a lifting assembly configured tolift the adapter head to facilitate matingly interlocking the adaptershaft in the adapter head with a brake wheel in the braking assembly. 5.The pipe deployment system of claim 1, wherein the adapter headcomprises: a rotation control plate secured circumferentially around theadapter shaft; and a rotation control pin secured to the rotationcontrol plate, wherein the rotation control pin is configured to bedisposed between adjacent reel spokes in the pipe reel to facilitatetying rotation of the adapter head with rotation of the pipe reel. 6.The pipe deployment system of claim 1, wherein the adapter head isconfigured to facilitate tying rotation of the braking assembly torotation of the pipe reel to enable the braking assembly to facilitatecontrolling deployment speed of the pipe segment from the pipe reel. 7.The pipe deployment system of claim 1, comprising another adapter head,wherein the another adapter head comprises: another adapter shaftconfigured to be partially inserted through another shaft opening in thepipe reel; and another adapter guide plate secured circumferentiallyaround the another adapter shaft, wherein: the pipe deployment equipmentcomprises another equipment guide plate spaced apart from the equipmentguide plate; and the another adapter guide plate is configured to engagethe another equipment guide plate on the pipe deployment equipment tofacilitate properly aligning the pipe reel with the pipe deploymentequipment.
 8. The pipe deployment system of claim 7, comprising asupport shaft configured to be secured to the adapter head, insertedthrough the shaft opening in the pipe reel, and secured to the anotheradapter head to facilitate supporting weight of the pipe reel.
 9. Thepipe deployment system of claim 1, wherein the equipment guide plate onthe pipe deployment equipment is configured to push the adapter guideplate on the adapter head when the pipe deployment equipment and thepipe reel are moved toward one another to facilitate moving the pipereel into proper alignment with the pipe deployment equipment.
 10. Amethod of loading a pipe reel in pipe deployment equipment, comprising:inserting an inner end of an adapter shaft of an adapter head through ashaft opening in the pipe reel, wherein the adapter head comprises anadapter guide plate secured circumferentially around the adapter shaft;moving the pipe deployment equipment and the pipe reel toward oneanother such that an equipment guide plate on the pipe deploymentequipment engages the adapter guide plate on the adapter head tofacilitate properly aligning the pipe reel with the pipe deploymentequipment; and operating the pipe deployment equipment to lift theadapter head such that an outer end of the adapter shaft of the adapterhead matingly interlock with a braking assembly on the pipe deploymentequipment.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the outer end of theadapter shaft of the adapter head is keyed with one or more flat outersurfaces and a brake wheel in the braking assembly of the pipedeployment equipment is keyed with one or more flat inner surfaces tofacilitate tying rotation of the brake wheel with rotation of theadapter head.
 12. The method of claim 10, comprising inserting arotation control pin that is secured the adapter shaft of the adapterhead via a rotation control plate through adjacent reel spokes of thepipe reel to facilitate tying rotation of the adapter head with rotationof the pipe reel.
 13. The method of claim 10, comprising: insertinganother inner end of another adapter shaft of another adapter headthrough another shaft opening in the pipe reel, wherein: the anotheradapter head comprises another adapter guide plate securedcircumferentially around the another adapter shaft; and moving the pipedeployment equipment and the pipe reel toward one another comprisesmoving the pipe deployment equipment and the pipe reel toward oneanother such that another equipment guide plate on the pipe deploymentequipment engages the another guide plate on the another adapter head tofacilitate properly aligning the pipe reel with the pipe deploymentequipment; and operating the pipe deployment equipment to lift theanother adapter head along with the adapter head.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, comprising securing a support shaft to the inner end of theadapter shaft in the adapter head, wherein: inserting the inner end ofthe adapter shaft of the adapter head through the shaft opening in thepipe reel comprises inserting the support shaft through the shaftopening in the pipe reel; and inserting the another inner end of theanother adapter shaft of the another adapter head through the anothershaft opening in the pipe reel comprises securing the another inner endof the another adapter shaft to the support shaft.
 15. The method ofclaim 10, wherein moving the pipe deployment equipment and the pipe reeltoward one another comprises using the equipment guide plate on the pipedeployment equipment to push against the adapter guide plate on theadapter head to facilitate moving the pipe reel into proper alignmentwith the pipe deployment equipment.
 16. A shaft adapter assembly,comprising: an adapter shaft configured to be partially inserted througha shaft opening in a reel end of a pipe reel such that the adapter shaftpartially extends through the pipe reel; a rotation control platesecured circumferentially around the adapter shaft; a rotation controlpin that extends out from the rotation control plate, wherein therotation control pin is configured to be inserted between a pair ofadjacent reel spokes in the reel end of the pipe reel to facilitatetying rotation of the adapter shaft with rotation of the pipe reel; andan adapter guide plate secured circumferentially around the adaptershaft, wherein the adapter guide plate is configured to engage anequipment guide plate on pipe deployment equipment to facilitateproperly aligning the pipe reel with the pipe deployment equipment. 17.The shaft adapter assembly of claim 16, comprising one or more flatouter surfaces keyed on the adapter shaft, wherein each of the one ormore flat outer surfaces is configured to align with a correspondingflat inner surface that is keyed into a shaft socket on a brake wheel tofacilitate tying rotation of the pipe reel to rotation of the brakewheel.
 18. The shaft adapter assembly of claim 16, comprising: anotheradapter shaft configured to be partially inserted through an oppositeshaft opening in an opposite reel end of the pipe reel such that theanother adapter shaft extends partially through the pipe reel; and anadapter guide plate secured circumferentially around the another adaptershaft.
 19. The shaft adapter assembly of claim 18, comprising a supportshaft configured to be coupled between the adapter shaft and the anotheradapter shaft within the pipe reel to facilitate supporting weight ofthe pipe reel.